3 December 1952. Popular comedian, Mel Smith, was born in London. He was best known as the co-star of the sketch comedy shows, Not the Nine O’Clock News, and, Alas Smith and Jones, with his comedy partner, Griff Rhys Jones. pic.twitter.com/ykKh4WFpMu

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 3, 2023

3 December 1978. Dan Snow was born in London. He’s a leading TV presenter of history programmes, and the author of several history books, primarily on military and naval history. He also runs the popular History HIt podcast and TV channel. pic.twitter.com/COwjIjnTcu

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 3, 2023

#RIP #OTD in 1999, actress (Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, Paper Moon, Blazing Saddles), comedian, and singer Madeline Kahn died from ovarian cancer in New York City, aged 57. Cremation. Memorial bench in Central Park near the reservoir on West 87th St https://t.co/bcc90rGeP3 pic.twitter.com/Ux1xEQHiCA

— RIP The Final Footprint (@RIPTFF) December 3, 2023

3 December 2003. British Actor, David Hemmings, died (aged 62). His was considered one of the icons of “Swinging London” during the 1960s, and his best known film role was as the “trendy” and “groovy” photographer (inspired by David Bailey), in 1966 murder mystery film, Blow Up. pic.twitter.com/4MnVj4vDbT

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 3, 2023

4 December 1930. Popular comedian, Ronnie Corbett, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He’s best known for his TV comedy work with Ronnie Barker in The Frost Report in 1966, and The Two Ronnies from 1971 to 1987. His most successful solo starring role was in the BBC1 sitcom, Sorry. pic.twitter.com/KcXg9rrU13

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 4, 2023

4 December 1949. Hollywood legend, Jeff Bridges, was born in Los Angeles, USA. He’s starred in numerous classic films including: The Big Lebowski, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and Jagger Edge. He won the Best Actor Oscar for the film, Crazy Heart. pic.twitter.com/HkNjX3UtkA

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 4, 2023

#RIP #OTD in 2015, actor (Big, Jagged Edge, An Officer and a Gentleman, Scarface, Prizzi's Honor) Robert Loggia died of complications from Alzheimer’s, at his home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, aged 85. Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, Los Angeles https://t.co/jauzqrndg1 pic.twitter.com/AVfDGsV54t

— RIP The Final Footprint (@RIPTFF) December 4, 2023

5 December 1890. Legendary Austrian film director, Fritz Lang, was born in Vienna. He’s best known for the classic Weimar German silent films, Metropolis and M. He fled into exile in the USA after Hitler came to power, and carved out a successful career in Hollywood. pic.twitter.com/ys2gLtW5kv

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 5, 2023

#RIP #OTD in 2008 actress (An American in Paris, Executive Suite, The Ten Commandments, Spartacus), acting instructor Nina Foch died from the blood disorder myelodysplasia at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, aged 84. Cremation https://t.co/rCb6Ahi7yb pic.twitter.com/jJBomd8onw

— RIP The Final Footprint (@RIPTFF) December 5, 2023

#RIP #OTD in 2010 Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Monday Night Football commentator, actor, Dandy Don, Don Meredith died at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center; Santa Fe, New Mexico, brain hemorrhage, aged 72. Mount Vernon City Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Texas https://t.co/rCb6Ahi7yb pic.twitter.com/9m74TeXuQT

— RIP The Final Footprint (@RIPTFF) December 5, 2023

6 December 1888. William (“Will”) Hay was born in Stockton on Tees. He was one of Britain’s best comedy actors. His heyday in comedy films was during the 1930s and 1940s. His films include: Oh Mr Porter, Ask a Policeman, and Boys Will Be Boys. pic.twitter.com/6XvndM2W1r

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 6, 2023

#RIP #OTD in 1994 actor (A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, Todo modo, Le Cercle Rouge, Sacco & Vanzetti ) Gian Maria Volonté died from a heart attack in Florina, Greece, aged 61. Cimitero Isola Maddalena, La Maddalena, Sardegna, Italy https://t.co/tKgfYm9L0d pic.twitter.com/S4sS6cRKxf

— RIP The Final Footprint (@RIPTFF) December 6, 2023

6 December 2016. Leading British character actor, Peter Vaughan, died (aged 93). He appeared in numerous films and in TV in dramas and in comedy sitcoms such as Porridge and Citizen Smith. pic.twitter.com/F0BH0QqFA6

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 6, 2023

#RIP #OTD in 1990 actress (Man Hunt, The Woman in the Window, Scarlet Street, Dark Shadows, Suspiria) Joan Bennett died of heart failure at her home in Scarsdale, New York aged 80. Pleasant View Cemetery, Lyme, Connecticut https://t.co/srtUmJRnLo pic.twitter.com/wab1CHxigy

— RIP The Final Footprint (@RIPTFF) December 7, 2023

#RIP #OTD in 1983, rodeo performer, film and television actor (Dr. Strangelove, Blazing Saddles, One-Eyed Jacks) Slim Pickens died after surgery for a brain tumor in Modesto, California, at the age of 64. Cremation https://t.co/RhMH7Lt84J pic.twitter.com/TPj98Vda7i

— RIP The Final Footprint (@RIPTFF) December 8, 2023

8 December 2008. Oliver Postgate died (aged 83). He created the TV puppet characters, Noggin the Nog, The Clangers, Bagpuss and Ivor the Engine. His grandfather-on his mother’s side- was George Lansbury, the Labour Party Leader from 1932 to 1935. pic.twitter.com/oqdPHws1dN

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 8, 2023

Hollywood actor Ryan O’Neal has died at the age of 82. He was catapulted to movie stardom in the 1970s after appearing in the box-office sensation “Love Story” with Ali McGraw followed by starring roles in Paper Moon and What's Up Doc? | Read more: https://t.co/ztPQrEhkby pic.twitter.com/BhBdmmhDFn

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 9, 2023

9 December 1916. Hollywood legend, Kirk Douglas, was born in Amsterdam, New York. He appeared in over 90 films including: Lust for Life, Paths of Glory, Spartacus, Seven Days in May, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, Champion, Ace in the Hole, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, pic.twitter.com/VDpBfejDrk

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 9, 2023

9 December 1934. Judi Dench was born in Heworth, Yorkshire. She starred in several Shakespeare plays before featuring in numerous films including: A Room with a View, M in GoldenEye and Skyfall, and also in Mrs Brown, Chocolat, Notes on a Scandal, and Philomena. pic.twitter.com/obsMd7QMym

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) December 9, 2023